Memphis has always been a city that makes things happen—whether it’s music, business, or community change. But in a world where everything moves faster than ever, even the most experienced leaders can get stuck doing things the way they’ve always been done.
That’s why the Memphis Innovation Bootcamp exists. On September 25–26, 2025, leaders from across the Mid-South will come together at the Crews Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Memphis for two days of hands-on training in Design Thinking—a powerful, practical framework used by some of the most innovative organizations in the world.
Wait—What’s Design Thinking?
Think of it like this: instead of guessing what your customers, clients, or community need, you learn how to deeply understand them, brainstorm creative solutions, test those ideas quickly, and keep improving until you’ve nailed it.
Here’s an example: say your nonprofit wants to boost volunteer sign-ups. Instead of just posting more social media ads, design thinking would have you talk to volunteers, find out what’s getting in their way, brainstorm ways to fix it, and try out a few quick experiments. You might discover that a mobile-friendly sign-up form and a monthly “Bring a Friend” night get better results than any ad campaign ever did.
It’s problem-solving with empathy and structure—and it works just as well for corporate teams, city departments, and startups.
Who’s Leading It?
The facilitator lineup includes some of Memphis’s brightest and most respected minds in the innovation arena, hailing from the Crews Center for Entrepreneurship, Epic Pivot, the Memphis Innovation Team, and Edit Media.
Together, they’ll guide you through real-world exercises that you can put to work in your organization the very next day.
Why You Should Be There
This isn’t a sit-and-take-notes conference. You’ll be on your feet, collaborating with other leaders, tackling real challenges, and building skills you can use immediately—like:
- Understanding your audience better than ever before
- Generating fresh ideas when your team feels stuck
- Testing solutions without wasting months or big budgets
- Creating a step-by-step roadmap for turning ideas into results
The Details
When: September 25–26, 2025
Where: Crews Center for Entrepreneurship, University of Memphis
Whether you lead a company, a nonprofit, or a city department, this is your chance to hit pause on business-as-usual, sharpen your problem-solving skills, and connect with other leaders who want to see Memphis thrive.
Spots are limited—register today and get ready to see your challenges in a whole new way.
This blog was written by Alex Shockey
Alex Shockey is the president and founder of Edit Media. A native Memphian, she is an avid reader, an active youth athletics coach, a world traveler, and loves spending time with her husband, three young boys, and their giant dog, Rudy.
